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Our Scotland predicted lineup vs Spain sees the top two of Group A go head to head once again in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
It’s all eyes on Seville tomorrow evening, as the Spaniards host the Scots at the Estadio de La Cartuja, with kick-off coming at 19:45 in the UK. It could be a historic night in more ways than one too, with Scotland beating Spain on their own turf just once, back in June 1963!
The last time the two sides met, Scott McTominay stunned Luis de la Fuente’s side by winning 2-0 at Hampden Park, in a fixture that set the tone of what was to come for Scotland in Group A.
Scotland predicted lineup vs Spain
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Scotland vs Spain European Championship Qualifiers team news
Steve Clarke’s squad will be geared up to raise their game on Thursday night, after facing a 3-1 defeat to fierce rivals England at Hampden Park in their last game of the international fixtures.
Aside from the friendly loss to the Three Lions, it’s been a stellar showing by the Scots in the European Championships, who remain unbeaten after five games, having won all five of their matches so far.
Spain sit six points behind the Scots in second with a game in hand, making it a difficult position for Clarke’s side to lose as they head into the final straight of the group stage.
🗣️'A pint of Rodri's tears please!' 😅
Scotland fans give their thoughts ahead of tomorrow night's game against Spain 🏴🇪🇸#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/kRdcb65IRH
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 11, 2023
With regard to team news, Ryan Jack and Kevin Nisbet will be away from the action due to injury concerns, joined by Kieran Tierney.
For Spain, teen sensation Lamine Yamal will be sidelined as per a hip injury, and will be joined by Dani Olmo, Pedri, Marco Asensio, Jose Gaya and Yeremy Pino who are all absentees from De La Fuente’s squad.
After being starved of Premier League football and sorely missed by Manchester City due to suspension, midfielder Rodri will hope to get revenge on the Scots, whom he branded as “rubbish” after the 2-0 defeat at Hampden Park.
Scotland predicted lineup
Gunn; Porteous, Hendry, Cooper; Hickey, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson; McTominay, McGinn; Adams
Scotland key players – Our top three
Scott McTominay – On a roll in front of goal
Spain will be cautious of the threat of Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, who scored both goals against them at Hampden Park.
The 26-year-old has been a key element to the success of Clarke’s side in the qualifiers, highlighted by his six goals in just five games in Group A, with his form in front of goal carrying over to domestic duties also.
🗣️ "Ten minutes on the pitch, scores two goals and rescues his team!"
Scotland manager Steve Clarke speaks on Scott McTominay and the importance of a strong squad 🏴#EURO2024 | @ScotlandNT pic.twitter.com/WRYZZvCBFp
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) October 11, 2023
Last time out in the Premier League, the midfielder scored two goals in injury time to assure United were winners at Old Trafford against Brentford, and in such a rich vein of confidence, he could be amped up to deal Spain a blow once more.
John McGinn – Can he continue his stellar form?
Another key element to Scotland’s squad is John McGinn, who has also found sanctuary in scoring during the qualifiers.
The Aston Villa captain has scored twice and assisted once in five appearances in the group stage, and adds a combative yet silky presence on the flank in support of the striker.
In the last match of the qualifiers against Cyprus, McGinn scored and assisted to guide his side to the 3-0 victory, adding another three points to their ever-impressive road to the finals.
Like McTominay, the 28-year-old will be high on confidence after scoring late for his club, as he netted the winning goal for Villa last week during their Europa Conference League win against Zrinjski.
Ryan Porteous – An assured presence at the back
With Grant Hanley and Kieran Tierney out of action, Ryan Porteous will be the only defender present in Clarke’s lineup that was fielded against Spain in March’s victory.
The 24-year-old helped to marshal the back line against the Spaniards during the win, making six clearances to assert his dominance on the talented Spanish attacking sequence.
The Watford man joined McTominay and McGinn in the win against Cyprus in the previous qualification fixture by scoring, as he earned a Sofascore man of the match rating of 8.8 for his performance.
Scotland predicted lineup vs Spain – The Final Word
A win tomorrow evening would confirm Scotland’s place in the 2024 European Championships, however their fate could be decided regardless, if Cyprus get a result against Norway.
Clarke’s squad need just two points to confirm their place, making a win tomorrow evening even more of a need so they can draw a line under the group stages early.
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